Why You Should Hop on the Bus

Prime Living, Jan 2014

ARE BUS TOURS RIGHT FOR YOU? Every day, I receive phone calls from people who say “I have never been on a bus tour, and I am not sure if it is for me” but they are calling because it is time to take the next step…to actually become one of “those” people. They sound tentative, almost scared, a little resigned to making the call. That’s right, I know that there is a certain pre-conceived notion when it comes to traveling on a group tour – some people envision being dragged from one attraction to another in a herded mass, trapped on a bus with a bunch of grumpy “old people”. We can’t ignore the fact that is the perception of what a bus tour is like – if you want to continue to travel in your later years, you have to succumb to going on the dreaded bus tour. Terrapin Tours is not only here to change that attitude, but to demolish it.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF GROUP TRAVEL? Why should you go on a bus tour? Traveling is a great way to stay active and to continue learning later in life – there are so many benefits of traveling and there is no reason to stop just because you no longer drive or want to travel on your own. What are the benefits of taking that proverbial “first step” and getting on the bus? First, there is an absolute ease of travel when joining a group – you don’t need to worry about planning all the details – you make your reservation, pack your bags and are ready to go! No more piles of maps and driving directions; no more searching TripAdvisor for every hotel review under the sun; no need to buy every guide book printed; and no need to navigate busy city streets or winding country roads in search of your hotel. Plus, when booking groups, we often get discounted rates which can be passed on to you. For instance, if you add up the cost of planning a weekend to New York on your own – by the time you add up hotels, meals, attractions, and transportation to and around the city – often times you have a considerable savings by joining a group. Add to that the benefits of traveling to new places with a knowledgeable guide; the ability to travel as a single but not be traveling alone; and the inherent safety in traveling with a professional tour director that can assist if things don’t go as planned or if there is a medical or other emergency.
ALL TOURS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL. So what’s so different about Terrapin Tours and our tours? It is a new age! I have learned that if 40 is the new 30, 70 is the new 50! Today’s Seniors are different and understanding the differences is helping Terrapin Tours cater to the new group traveler. Today’s seniors are more active, more adventurous, and are savvier when it comes to travel. There are a lot of differences between tour companies and the various tours that are offered. We like to have fun, and we are on a mission to demolish the pre-conceived notion of the dreaded bus tour.

To begin with, there are many factors to take into consideration including the difference between cost and value. Looking at the price isn’t always a clear picture of the cost of a trip – how many meals are included? Are all of the activities and attractions admissions included or will you be digging into your pocket every time you hop off the bus? Take a close look at what is included in the price of the tour – get a better idea of how many meals and activities you will be paying for out of pocket – at the end of the day, a lower price on the brochure doesn’t always mean lower cost to you. Also look at the hotels, are they hotels that you would choose to stay at on your own if given the option?

Another thing to look at is the pace of the tour. Terrapin Tours is taking a “Stop and Smell the Roses” approach to travel. We feel that it is important to take time at the destinations that we visit rather than simply hopping off the bus, checking off the attraction on a list, and hopping back on to head off to our next destination. I have learned that people would prefer to see less, but experience more. Taking a little more time at each destination and also giving people some free time each day to do what they please has been the key to Terrapin’s success. Some travelers would prefer to enjoy a leisurely lunch at a sidewalk café, while others would like to spend the afternoon in a museum or gallery, and of course, there are those that would spend the time shopping!

At the end of the day, traveling is a very personal experience. Traveling with a group has always been a great option for me – I love the camaraderie that comes with traveling with a group of strangers that become friends; I love sharing the experiences along the way with fellow travelers; and I love sitting down at the end of the day and sharing stories of our adventures. My passion for group travel is helping me create a new kind of travel – a group tour where after you take that “first step” and get on the bus, you are in for a fun-filled adventure, not some stuffy old bus tour. So hop on the bus….you won’t regret it!

CUSTOMER REVIEWS

Husband and I just returned from the Nova Scotia tour with Kelly and Rockstar driver Dwight. Trip was spectacular in many ways: folks we met, sights we saw, delicious meals, and Kelly's seeming magic with the weather. Whoever said we can't control the weather hasn't met Kelly!! She brilliantly rearranged our agenda to accommodate a bit of rain, and on another day threw in a surprise backstage tour of the International Tattoo show. Kelly is super organized yet makes it all seem easy. She clearly enjoys her job and being with people.
If you have a chance to hop on a Terrapin Tour, sign up now. It is so worth it. You will enjoy the ride.read more

Southern Coastal Discovery! My friend Anne and I just had to sit back and enjoy. Every detail was taken care of! I had the best time on the trip I took with Kelly, Annie and our Driver, Sweet Baby Ray!read more

We just came back from our first trip with Terrapin - 6 day trip to Nova Scotia, and had a wonderful time. Both my husband and myself were very impressed with Kelly's organization and attention to detail. She went out of her way to make sure we all had the best time possible and we did! I would highly recommend Terrapin to anyone looking for a high quality, well run bus tour. It is definitely worth the money and we look forward to more trips in the future.read more

Just got back from Ottawa - what a wonderful trip! Terrapin trips are fun, educational, and comfortable. We had Annie for the Ottawa 'tulip festival' trip and she was a great tour guide!! All you really have to do is to show up for the bus on time and Terrapin takes care of the rest. You are not herded into the bus like a bunch of cattle - the trip is very respectful and humorous! I guess I cannot say enough good about Terrapin.read more

All you have to do is get to the bus on time and enjoy yourself. Everything is taken care of by Kelly and Annie. Love it! My husband and I did the Nantucket Daffodil Festival last spring and the Southern Coastal Discovery (Savannah and Charleston) in March. Such good people on that 12 day tour. The entire tour is so well planned, the pace of the days is perfect, the hotels never disappoint. The ratio of planned activities and free time is just right. I would highly recommend Terrapin Tours.read more

Just back from a wonderful trip to Quebec City. Kudos to Kelly and Terrapin tours for making it so fun and easy to travel! It was my first time with Terrapin tours and I can't wait to book another trip.read more

Just returned from a Terrapin Tour to Quebec City. This was my first tour with Kelly and I highly recommend it. The tour was well organized, very informative,stayed at a beautiful hotel in the old city, which was within walking distance of great restaurants, shops, museums. The tour guides were fantastic and fun. We had beautiful weather and I cannot wait for the next trip. Thanks Kelly !read more

Excellent tour to Quebec . Kelly and the driver were very courteous to my mother and quite helpful. I would definitely recommend people sign up for her tours and I will definitely go on another tour with Kelly.
The bus ride up and back were quite entertaining. Thanks Kelly.read more

Had a wonderful week traveling with Terrain tours to Philadelphia, Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown, Monticello and a visit to President Monroe's home.
I have been on eight previous bus tours but this has become number one!!! The best one yet. I will travel with Terrapin again. Kelly is great!
All my fellow travelers were friendly, becoming a "traveling" family.
Come join us.read more

I just came back from a wonderful tour of historic sites in Virginia and Pennsylvania. Kelly, our Tour Director and Mark, our Driver were incredible. We got to see so many incredible places from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell (including a private evening tour of Independence Hall), to Williamsburg to Jamestown and Yorktown, Monticello, and Gettysburg. We had ample time to experience all of these wonderful places, and also some free time to explore on our own. The hotels were great and my fellow travelers were friendly and fun. Kelly planned a wonderful itinerary and was always there for questions, recommendations, and the like, and Mark got us there safe and sound. I would definitely travel again with Terrapin, and, if you haven't just yet, I'd recommend that you give them a try. You'll have a wonderful time!read more

Have just returned from Newfoundland and Labrador a 13 day tour. It was a fabulous experience. Yes we saw whales and ice bergs my favorite, met very special people and saw so many many sites. I can't praise Kelly enough for all she does on her tours. I have now been on five of her over night tours ranging from 4 to 13 days. We rode the bus to DC, the Smokies, Brandywine, and Ohio. Each one has been special. It is always fun to be together again with old friends that we have met on tours, many of us just keep returning. We also now love not just Kelly but Annie, her newest addition to travel as a tour guide, an excellent choice. You will be in good hands no matter which guide you are lucky enough to travel with. I encourage anyone to sign up and hop on the bus and realize how nice it is to sit back and look out the window seeing so many sites along the way waiting for the final destinations.read more

No matter where we have traveled with Terrapin Tours, we have had a wonderful experience meeting fellow travelers (who are now good friends) seen places we would not have seen on our own, and enjoyed stress free travels. Am so looking forward to this year and four more great trips learning about our wonderful country with Kelly, Annie, and Ron. Safe travels to all.read more

We have travelled with Kelly several times and she is the best! On our last trip we were introduced to Annie and she is terrific too👍🏼. Terrapin has a loyal following of travelers and we have really enjoyed being a part of the group. Can't wait to find a trip and a time that will fit our schedule.read more

I have gone on many trips with Kelly and Annie. I love them because we go to places that are interesting,all the way from Quebec to washington,d.c. I laid a wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier on one of our trips. We have gone to the 5 lakes and to the forests of Tennessee. They lay out the meals and attractions we go to see.read more

Betty was right. I was very skeptical about going off for 12 days with several people we didn't know. We met many friendly people and got along well with all. The accommodations were all first class as were the provided meals. I would recommend Terrapin Tours to anyone.read more

A friend and I took a Terrapin tour up into Canada a couple of years ago. It was superb! Kelly is extremely well organized, a total dear, and fun! She selects excellent places to visit--and stay. The folks on the bus with us were all very kind and lots of fun. My friend and I are taking another (too brief) tour with Kelly this June. We are SO looking forward to the trip, to seeing Kelly again, and to seeing some friends from our previous tour.read more

I never knew I wanted guided tours until I travelled with Terrapin. Kelly is delightful and the guides and driver professional, knowledgeable, and courteous. Hotel and restaurant selections are perfect. I can't say enough good things and can't wait to travel with Kelly again. When I retire I will go on every one of her trips!read more

I have been on two tours with Kelly and have two more planed this fall. I love all the fun we have together. . Meeting new friends are lots of fun too. We stop every now and then for potty stops and stretch our legs.. the overnights have been wonderful. . Come and join the Terrapin Tour group for a day, a few nights or a week plus trip. Bus is so comfortable and the bus driver is so helpful.. your first trip will not be your last.. love you all at Terrapin Tours...read more

Have been on numerous trips with Kelly from day trips to 3 nighters and even a 12 nighter! Have never been disappointed, everything is 1st class AND she Always throws in special surprises! The other travelers on the trips are many, many return travelers, so when we do go on a trip, we know we will always see old friends as well as make new friends! Try it once and you will come back for more!!read more

A friend and I went on the Gaspe Peninsula tour with Kelly a couple years ago. We had a great time! This trip went to less populated, beautiful natural areas in northeast Canada. It was well organized and the accommodations were good. It was great to be able to see this distant region without doing long days of driving myself. I look forward to going on another Terrapin trip in the future and hope to run into some of the friends that we made on this trip.read more

My first trip with Kelly was last summer when my friends and I did the trip into Boston to see The Jersey Boys. It was a long day but so much fun. there was a good group of people on the bus, many of them were regulars, and were very friendly. Kelly took us to a very nice place to have Brunch, then we did a tour of Boston on the way to the show. My friends and I have reserved our space for this year to see Wicket in Boston, and we are so looking forward to it.read more

My friend and I were on Kelly's first tour 5 years ago and we are still traveling with her and recommending her to everyone we meet. We love traveling with Terrapin Tours and have made a lot of new friends we now consider family.read more

The May NYC tour was my 4th. with Terrapin Tours. My husband and I went to (1) Newport, RI, (2) the Daffodil Festival on Nantucket and (3) NYC in the holiday season. The May trip to NYC was great. Travel is comfortable and you feel like part of a family. Last weekend I took my 15 year old granddaughter and we really saw the city. Kelly gives us time to explore on our own which gives me free time to visit with our son who now lives in Manhattan. Thanks, Kellyread more

Such a fun trip to NYC - something I would never try on my own. Kelly was wonderful and very educated as our tour guide throughout the trip and made sure to make it a great, personal experience for all. Perfect mix of "tour time" vs. "your own time". was amazing!! Would book again in a heartbeat! Thank you Terrapin Tours! Kathryn Melanson & the Devine Galsread more

First tour with Terrapin Tours. Lots of fun quality events/meals, and well taken care of by Kelly (tour guide) and Ron (bus driver.) Also had lot of free time to explore on own. Will definitely book again with Terrapinread more

We have loved every trip we have been on with Terrapin Tours. Kelly makes everyone feel like a member of a wonderful family. Always plenty of things to do and see, and also just enough downtime if you just want to be on your own for a bit. So nice to never have to worry about parking, picking a restaurant, or getting the most out of a trip.read more

What a great tour guide Kelly is and the information and places she brings us are fantastic. Never a dull moment and perhaps one of the best tour guides I have ever had the pleasure to meet! Looking for another adventure this year!read more

Deb Miller & I took the recent Boston Luxury Lunch Cruise with Kelly & Terrapin Tours. We had a great time, it was a beautiful day! The tour was well organized and Kelly makes a wonderful tour guide. The Frost Ice Bar was an awesome way to cool down. Class act all the way!!!read more

Jim and I had a great time today on the Boston trip. Almost missed the bus, but Kelly's sense of humor made us all laugh as we got on the bus. Our first time doing this and I'm sure it won't be our last. Thumbs up, Kelly, for an awesome day today. Thank you.read more

Kelly runs an awesome tour! I joined her on the "Tour de Ville" this year and had a wonderful time. So many fun and interesting things packed into the 10 days...Her compassion, humor, and attention to detail are just a few of her amazing qualities. Book a trip today - you will be glad you did!read more

Just went on my second tour with Kelly of Terrapin Tours and had the best time. Her "fun facts" about the places we visit make learning history entertaining (wish my history teachers in school could have done that!) Lots of time to sightsee as well as enjoy the fabulous foods of the region. The pace is perfect and the nooks and crannies we visit are memorable. I highly recommend this tour for a fantastic time you won't soon forget!read more